Thursday, 9 January 2020 - Monthly Climate Summary for Tasmania - Product code IDCKGC17R0
Tasmania in December 2019: cool start then the hottest day on record; wet in the west, dry in the northeast
The 30th brought record high temperatures to much of Tasmania, including a December State record of 41.9 °C at Friendly Beaches, but the first part of the month had been relatively cool. Westerly winds for much of the month meant the west of Tasmania was wetter than usual, but the northeast was much drier than usual.
Wet in the west, dry in the northeast
- Westerly winds and cold fronts were dominant for the first part of the month, bringing plenty of rain to the west but little apart from light showers to the eastern half of Tasmania
- Mount Read in the west had its highest December daily rainfall on record (having broken its November daily record twice), and totals were well above average through the western highlands
- The northeastern half of the State received very little rain, with some areas having less than 10 mm of rainfall for the whole month
- Several sites reported their lowest total December rainfall since at least 1994; in some cases much longer, or even their driest December on record
Record hot day after a cold start
- The month started off cool, with several sites in the west and south having their coldest December day on record on the 2nd or 3rd, and a few sites in the south having their lowest December temperature on record on the 4th
- The 30th was exceptionally hot across Tasmania as strong northwesterly winds brought warm air from the mainland; two-thirds of the sites with at least 20 years of observations had their hottest December day on record
- Friendly Beaches reached 41.9 °C, the second-highest temperature ever reported in Tasmania (just behind Scamander's 42.2 °C on 30 January 2009) and the highest December temperature ever reported in Tasmania
- Swansea (Francis Street) reached 41.1 °C, whilst Hobart (Ellerslie Road) and Hobart Airport reached 40.8 °C, also exceeding the old December mark of 40.6 °C set at Hobart (Ellerslie Road) on 30 December 1897
- Almost all of Tasmania recorded accumulated monthly Forest Fire Danger Index in the highest 10% of historical values for December, and highest on record in the northeast quarter of the State; much of the eastern half of the State had its highest December daily Forest Fire Danger Index on record on the 30th
- Overall, days were warmer than average in the east but cooler than average in the west
- Cool nights were common in the first half of the month, but there were several mild mornings toward the end of the month
- The Tasmanian mean temperature was 0.50 °C warmer than average; the mean maximum temperature was 0.96 °C above average but the mean minimum just 0.04 °C above average and the coolest for December since 2008
Hobart (Ellerslie Road)
- Hobart (Ellerslie Road) reached 40.8 °C on the 30th, the equal-second highest temperature ever recorded at the site (behind 41.8 °C on 4 January 2013) and the highest for December (previously 40.6 °C on 30 December 1897)
- Hobart's coolest day was on the 3rd when the temperature reached 15.8 °C
- The mean daily maximum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 21.8 °C, which is 1.4 °C above the long-term average of 20.4 °C
- Total rainfall for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 16.0 mm, which is 28% of the long-term average of 56.3 mm and the driest December since 2002
- The mean daily minimum temperature for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) was 11.3 °C, which is 0.4 °C above the long-term average of 10.9 °C
- The coldest morning was 5.8 °C on the 4th, and the warmest morning was on the 21st when the minimum temperature was 15.4 °C
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Extremes in December 2019 | |
---|---|
Hottest day | 41.9 °C at Friendly Beaches on the 30th |
Warmest days on average | 24.4 °C at Cressy Research Station |
Coolest days on average | 12.5 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) |
Coldest day | 1.6 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) on the 3rd |
Coldest night | -4.0 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) on the 4th |
Coolest nights on average | 2.5 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) |
Warmest nights on average | 12.7 °C at Swan Island |
Warmest night | 16.6 °C at Flinders Island Airport on the 21st |
Warmest on average overall | 17.3 °C at Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) |
Coolest on average overall | 7.5 °C at kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) |
Wettest overall | 494.8 mm at Mount Read |
Driest overall | 3.0 mm at Fingal (Legge Street) |
Wettest day | 81.2 mm at Mount Read on the 6th |
Strongest wind gust | 133 km/h at Hogan Island on the 3rd |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Maps | |||
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Observed | Anomaly | Decile rank | |
Total rainfall |
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Mean daily maximum temperatures |
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Mean daily minimum temperatures |
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Record highest December daily rainfall | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (mm) |
Old record |
Years of record |
||||
Mount Read | 81.2 | on the 6th | 78.0 | on the 5th in 2002 | 24 |
Highest December total rainfall for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (mm) |
Most recent higher |
Average for December |
|||
Lake Margaret Dam | 401.8 | 468.2 | in 1986* | 253.2 |
* note: there are large gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a higher value has gone unreported
Record lowest December total rainfall | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (mm) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for December |
||
kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) | 23.0 | 29.7 | in 1968 | 36 | 88.2 |
Quamby Bluff | 30.0 | 39.2 | in 2000 | 24 | 84.3 |
Targa (Mountain Views) | 24.6 | 31.0 | in 2006 | 22 | 74.8 |
Lemana (Woodlands) | 13.8 | 27.7 | in 2011 | 21 | 60.4 |
Sheffield School Farm | 6.4 | 19.4 | in 2006 | 21 | 65.6 |
Erriba (Jubb Road) | 33.4 | 37.6 | in 2004 | 20 | 90.7 |
Liawenee | 18.0 | 19.9 | in 2011 | 20 | 59.1 |
Lowest December total rainfall for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (mm) |
Most recent lower |
Average for December |
|||
Fingal (Legge Street) | 3.0 | 0.5 | in 1908* | 49.7 | |
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 8.2 | 6.1 | in 1983* | 47.7 | |
Westbury (Birralee Road) | 9.2 | 7.2 | in 1983* | 51.1 | |
Barrington Post Office | 15.9 | 10.8 | in 1994 | 70.4 | |
Pyengana (Forest Lodge Road) | 13.4 | 11.8 | in 1994 | 95.3 | |
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 14.4 | 12.8 | in 1994 | 65.7 | |
Wynyard Airport | 18.8 | 13.4 | in 1994 | 64.5 | |
Yolla (Sea View) | 38.6 | 22.4 | in 1994 | 90.8 | |
Devonport Airport | 15.2 | 14.8 | in 1997 | 52.3 | |
Nunamara Offtake (St Patricks River) | 16.4 | 3.8 | in 1996* | 58.7 |
* note: there are gaps in the historical record at this site, so it is possible a lower value has gone unreported
Record highest December temperature | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for December |
|||
Hobart (Ellerslie Road) † | 40.8 | on the 30th | 40.6 | on the 30th in 1897 | 134 | 20.4 |
Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 38.0 | on the 30th | 37.2 | on the 26th in 1945 | 97 | 17.1 |
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse | 32.9 | on the 20th | 32.1 | on the 22nd in 1976 | 63 | 15.7 |
Hobart Airport * † | 40.8 | on the 30th | 39.2 | on the 11th in 1998 | 62 | 20.8 |
Butlers Gorge | 32.7 | on the 30th | 32.6 | on the 19th in 2015 | 58 | 16.8 |
Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) | 39.7 | on the 30th | 38.6 | on the 11th in 1998 | 57 | 22.1 |
Flinders Island Airport | 40.5 | on the 30th | 38.3 | on the 20th in 2015 | 57 | 20.3 |
Orford (Aubin Court) * | 39.7 | on the 30th | 37.5 | on the 20th in 2015 | 52 | 20.5 |
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 35.3 | on the 30th | 33.5 | on the 29th in 1979 | 48 | 20.9 |
kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) | 28.6 | on the 30th | 27.6 | on the 31st in 2009 | 38 | 11.3 |
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 34.1 | on the 30th | 33.8 | on the 6th in 1994 | 37 | 22.6 |
Fingal (Legge Street) | 39.3 | on the 30th | 37.0 | on the 10th in 2006 | 34 | 21.7 |
Wynyard Airport | 31.1 | on the 28th | 30.5 | on the 12th in 1998 | 34 | 19.8 |
Strahan Aerodrome | 36.9 | on the 30th | 36.7 | on the 31st in 2007 | 31 | 19.8 |
Dover | 38.0 | on the 30th | 37.3 | on the 31st in 2009 | 30 | 19.4 |
Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 33.7 | on the 30th | 32.2 | on the 10th in 2006 | 30 | 17.9 |
Maydena Post Office | 36.3 | on the 30th | 35.2 | on the 31st in 2009 | 28 | 19.9 |
Ross (The Boulevards) | 37.8 | on the 30th | 35.6 | on the 10th in 2006 | 27 | 22.8 |
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) | 39.2 | on the 30th | 36.1 | on the 31st in 2009 | 23 | 18.5 |
Friendly Beaches * † | 41.9 | on the 30th | 39.8 | on the 20th in 2015 | 23 | 21.9 |
Melton Mowbray (North Stockman) | 39.7 | on the 30th | 37.8 | on the 11th in 1998 | 23 | 21.9 |
Sheffield School Farm | 32.3 | on the 30th | 30.3 | on the 31st in 2015 | 23 | 19.8 |
Tunnack Fire Station * | 37.4 | on the 30th | 33.0 | on the 11th in 1998 | 23 | 19.6 |
Ouse Fire Station | 40.0 | on the 30th | 38.0 | on the 31st in 2007 | 22 | 23.2 |
Cressy Research Station | 37.0 | on the 30th | 34.5 | on the 31st in 2015 | 21 | 23.0 |
Campania (Kincora) | 40.6 | on the 30th | 38.1 | on the 31st in 2009 | 20 | 23.0 |
Note:
* Hobart Airport, Orford, Friendly Beaches and Tunnack are also records for any month of the year.
†
41.9 °C at Friendly Beaches is the highest December temperature ever recorded in Tasmania. Swansea (Francis Street) reported 41.1 °C, but is not included in the table above as the site has a relatively short record. 40.8 °C at Hobart and Hobart Airport also exceed the old mark of 40.6 °C set at Hobart (Ellerslie Road) on 30 December 1897.
Record lowest December daily maximum temperature | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for December |
|||
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse | 8.9 | on the 2nd | = 8.9 | on the 6th in 1969 | 63 | 15.7 |
Strahan Aerodrome | 12.7 | on the 2nd | = 12.7 | on the 5th in 2002 | 31 | 19.8 |
Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) | 11.9 | on the 2nd | 12.0 | on the 5th in 2002 | 29 | 17.5 |
Maydena Post Office | 8.5 | on the 3rd | 9.4 | on the 4th in 2012 | 28 | 19.9 |
Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) | 2.4 | on the 3rd | 3.6 | on the 4th in 2012 | 24 | 15.1 |
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) | 10.4 | on the 2nd | 11.4 | on the 4th in 2012 | 23 | 18.5 |
Luncheon Hill (Forestry) | 10.0 | on the 2nd | = 10.0 | on the 25th in 2006 | 23 | 18.8 |
Scotts Peak Dam | 6.6 | on the 2nd | 8.0 | on the 5th in 2002 | 22 | 19.0 |
Record lowest December temperature | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New record (°C) |
Old record |
Years of record |
Average for December |
|||
Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) | -1.2 | on the 4th | -1.1 | on the 27th in 2010 | 24 | 5.4 |
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) | 4.9 | on the 4th | 5.0 | on the 12th in 2015 | 23 | 10.8 |
Lowest December mean daily minimum temperature for at least 20 years | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Observed (°C) |
Most recent lower |
Average for December |
|||
Marrawah | 9.7 | 8.9 | in 1996 | 10.7 |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Summary statistics for December 2019 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maximum temperatures (°C) |
Minimum temperatures (°C) |
Rainfall (millimetres) |
||||||||||
Mean for December 2019 |
Diff from average |
Highest for December 2019 |
Mean for December 2019 |
Diff from average |
Lowest for December 2019 |
Total for December 2019 |
Average for December |
Rank of December 2019 |
Fraction of December average |
|||
Northern (district 91) | ||||||||||||
Cape Grim | 16.6 | 24.4 | 30th | 10.9 | 7.4 | 2nd | 33.0 | |||||
Cape Grim BAPS (Comparison) | 16.6 | -0.9 | 24.7 | 30th | 10.9 | -1.1 | 7.0 | 2nd | 37.0 | 45.2 | average | 82% |
Cressy Research Station | 24.4 | +1.4 | 37.0 | 30th | 8.2 | -0.5 | 1.4 | 22nd | 11.6 | 44.3 | v low | 26% |
Devonport Airport | 20.5 | +0.7 | 28.1 | 26th | 10.7 | -0.1 | 5.3 | 22nd | 15.2 | 52.3 | low | 29% |
Launceston (Ti Tree Bend) | 23.7 | +1.1 | 34.1 | 30th | 10.9 | +0.1 | 5.4 | 8th | 8.2 | 47.7 | v low | 17% |
Launceston Airport | 23.7 | +1.1 | 35.2 | 30th | 8.9 | -0.3 | 1.4 | 4th | 12.0 | 49.7 | v low | 24% |
Low Head | 18.1 | -0.9 | 22.3 | 30th | 12.3 | -0.7 | 8.8 | 22nd | 14.6 | 43.2 | low | 34% |
Luncheon Hill (Forestry) | 18.4 | -0.4 | 30.9 | 30th | 8.3 | -0.7 | 3.7 | 4th | 111.2 | 90.5 | high | 123% |
Marrawah | 17.7 | -0.7 | 27.8 | 30th | 9.7 | -1.0 | 6.0 | 6th | 59.8 | 63.3 | average | 94% |
Scottsdale (West Minstone Road) | 22.0 | +1.1 | 35.3 | 30th | 9.3 | 0.0 | 4.1 | 4th | 14.4 | 65.7 | v low | 22% |
Sheffield School Farm | 20.4 | +0.6 | 32.3 | 30th | 8.5 | -0.6 | 3.5 | 2nd | 6.4 | 65.6 | lowest | 10% |
Smithton Aerodrome | 19.7 | -0.1 | 28.3 | 28th | 9.3 | -0.5 | 5.7 | 16th | 42.0 | 57.4 | average | 73% |
Wynyard Airport | 20.7 | +0.9 | 31.1 | 28th | 10.0 | +0.3 | 4.1 | 16th | 18.8 | 64.5 | v low | 29% |
East Coast (district 92) | ||||||||||||
Fingal (Legge Street) | 23.7 | +2.0 | 39.3 | 30th | 8.6 | -0.2 | 3.0 | 7th | 3.0 | 49.7 | v low | 6% |
Friendly Beaches | 22.4 | +0.5 | 41.9 | 30th | 11.1 | -0.8 | 7.0 | 1st | 31.2 | 47.0 | low | 66% |
Lake Leake (Elizabeth River) | 19.6 | +1.7 | 33.7 | 30th | 7.0 | -0.1 | 2.6 | 5th | 46.4 | 71.6 | average | 65% |
larapuna (Eddystone Point) | 20.9 | +1.6 | 31.0 | 28th | 12.4 | +0.4 | 6.0 | 4th | 10.4 | 59.6 | v low | 17% |
Maria Island (Point Lesueur) | 19.3 | -0.7 | 35.5 | 30th | 11.6 | -0.8 | 6.8 | 4th | 40.2 | 49.4 | average | 81% |
Orford (Aubin Court) | 20.8 | +0.3 | 39.7 | 30th | 10.8 | +0.1 | 5.7 | 1st | 27.2 | 62.5 | low | 44% |
St Helens Aerodrome | 21.8 | +0.5 | 36.8 | 30th | 11.6 | -0.3 | 5.9 | 4th | 16.4 | 53.6 | low | 31% |
Swan Island | 19.1 | -0.4 | 28.2 | 30th | 12.7 | -0.8 | 9.3 | 22nd | 11.4 | 47.3 | low | 24% |
Swansea (Francis Street) | 21.7 | 41.1 | 30th | 11.0 | 6.3 | 1st | 27.4 | |||||
Midlands (district 93) | ||||||||||||
Ross (The Boulevards) | 23.9 | +1.1 | 37.8 | 30th | 8.8 | 0.0 | 2.9 | 4th | 23.4 | 38.3 | low | 61% |
Southeast (district 94) | ||||||||||||
Campania (Kincora) | 23.2 | +0.2 | 40.6 | 30th | 9.9 | -0.4 | 5.7 | 20th | 19.2 | 42.2 | low | 45% |
Cape Bruny (Cape Bruny) | 18.1 | -0.4 | 39.2 | 30th | 9.8 | -1.0 | 4.9 | 4th | 55.8 | 58.9 | average | 95% |
Cape Bruny Lighthouse | 18.2 | +1.1 | 38.0 | 30th | 10.2 | -0.2 | 5.5 | 4th | 55.8 | 75.5 | average | 74% |
Dennes Point | 20.1 | 37.2 | 30th | 11.1 | 5.1 | 4th | 33.2 | |||||
Dover | 20.2 | +0.8 | 38.0 | 30th | 8.7 | -0.4 | 3.5 | 4th | 55.6 | 71.1 | average | 78% |
Dunalley (Stroud Point) | 20.2 | 39.0 | 30th | 11.6 | 6.6 | 4th | 32.4 | |||||
Grove (Research Station) | 34.4 | 20th | 8.4 | -0.2 | 2.9 | 4th | 39.0 | 60.9 | low | 64% | ||
Hobart (Ellerslie Road) | 21.8 | +1.4 | 40.8 | 30th | 11.3 | +0.4 | 5.8 | 4th | 16.0 | 56.3 | low | 28% |
Hobart Airport | 21.7 | +0.9 | 40.8 | 30th | 10.8 | -0.1 | 6.0 | 4th | 19.6 | 51.8 | low | 38% |
kunanyi (Mount Wellington Pinnacle) | 12.5 | +1.2 | 28.6 | 30th | 2.5 | -0.5 | -4.0 | 4th | 23.0 | 88.2 | lowest | 26% |
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse | 14.9 | -0.8 | 32.9 | 20th | 9.0 | -0.7 | 5.0 | 3rd | 92.6 | 89.9 | average | 103% |
Melton Mowbray (North Stockman) | 22.5 | +0.6 | 39.7 | 30th | 8.5 | -0.7 | 3.9 | 4th | 16.2 | 40.1 | v low | 40% |
Tasman Island | 16.0 | -0.7 | 33.5 | 30th | 9.0 | -1.3 | 5.0 | 3rd | 52.2 | 64.1 | average | 81% |
Tunnack Fire Station | 21.0 | +1.4 | 37.4 | 30th | 7.1 | -0.6 | 1.2 | 1st | 19.4 | 53.6 | v low | 36% |
Derwent Valley (district 95) | ||||||||||||
Bushy Park (Bushy Park Estates) | 23.3 | +1.2 | 39.7 | 30th | 8.7 | -0.4 | 4.2 | 4th | 30.2 | 50.5 | low | 60% |
Maydena Post Office | 18.8 | -1.1 | 36.3 | 30th | 7.0 | -0.7 | 2.5 | 4th | 104.8 | 86.2 | high | 122% |
Ouse Fire Station | 23.2 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 30th | 8.3 | -0.6 | 3.4 | 1st | 34.2 | 36.0 | average | 95% |
Central Plateau (district 96) | ||||||||||||
Butlers Gorge | 17.3 | +0.5 | 32.7 | 30th | 4.7 | -0.8 | -0.3 | 23rd | 173.4 | 125.5 | high | 138% |
Liawenee | 17.7 | +1.1 | 31.1 | 30th | 3.4 | -0.6 | -2.4 | 4th | 18.0 | 59.1 | lowest | 30% |
West Coast (district 97) | ||||||||||||
Cape Sorell | 17.7 | +0.6 | 27.4 | 30th | 10.5 | -0.4 | 6.9 | 4th | 68.4 | 80.3 | average | 85% |
Hartz Mountain (Keoghs Pimple) | 14.8 | -0.3 | 32.9 | 30th | 4.4 | -1.0 | -1.2 | 4th | 95.6 | 82.4 | high | 116% |
Low Rocky Point | 17.5 | 34.6 | 20th | 10.0 | 6.9 | 3rd | ||||||
Scotts Peak Dam | 18.6 | -0.4 | 34.1 | 30th | 7.0 | -1.1 | 1.9 | 4th | 215.6 | 146.1 | v high | 148% |
Strahan Aerodrome | 18.9 | -0.9 | 36.9 | 30th | 9.3 | -0.5 | 6.1 | 24th | 123.2 | 95.4 | high | 129% |
Warra | 17.2 | -0.4 | 35.4 | 30th | 6.6 | -0.4 | 1.0 | 4th | 192.0 | 138.2 | high | 139% |
King Island (district 98) | ||||||||||||
King Island Airport | 19.1 | 0.0 | 34.1 | 30th | 10.2 | -1.0 | 3.1 | 23rd | 24.0 | 48.2 | low | 50% |
Flinders Island (district 99) | ||||||||||||
Flinders Island Airport | 20.4 | +0.1 | 40.5 | 30th | 12.1 | +0.1 | 6.2 | 27th | 17.0 | 58.5 | low | 29% |
Hogan Island | 28.6 | 20th | 11.6 | -1.8 | 8.0 | 2nd | 13.4 | 43.8 | v low | 31% | ||
Note: From 2017, information about Macquarie Island can be found in the climate summary for the Remote Islands and Antarctica |
Extremes Maps Records Summaries Important notes the top
Notes
The Monthly climate summary, generally published on the first working day of each month, lists the main features of the weather in Tasmania using the most timely and accurate information available on the date of publication; it will generally not be updated. More extensive discussion of significant weather events, along with later information and data that has had greater opportunity for quality control, will be presented in the Monthly Weather Review.
This statement has been prepared based on information available at 9 am on Thursday 2 January 2020. Some checks have been made on the data, but it is possible that results will change as new information becomes available.
In some situations, some or all of the rainfall is in the form of hail or snow. In these cases the totals given are for the water equivalent: the depth of liquid water that results from melting any frozen precipitation. There can be significant 'undercatch' of snow in strong winds, meaning the true precipitation can be higher than that reported.
Averages for individual sites are long-term means based on observations from
all available years of record, which vary widely from site to site.
They are not shown for sites with less than 10 years of record, as they cannot then be calculated reliably.
The median
is sometimes more representative than the
mean
of long-term average rain.
The Rank indicates how rainfall this time compares with the climate record for the site,
based on the
decile ranking
(very low rainfall is in decile 1, low in decile 2 or 3,
average in decile 4 to 7, high in decile 8 or 9
and very high is in decile 10).
The Fraction of average shows how much rain has fallen this time as a
percentage of the long-term mean.
Where temperature area averages are mentioned, they are derived from the ACORN-SAT dataset.
Further information
- Media
- media@bom.gov.au (03) 9669 4057
- Enquiries
- helpdesk.climate@bom.gov.au
Unless otherwise noted, all maps, graphs and diagrams in this page are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence